Herbs in association with drugs: Enhancement of the aminoglycoside-antibiotic activity by Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link.

AIMS: In this work, the ethyl acetate and hexane fractions of Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) were evaluated to antibacterial and antifungal activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis.

METHODS: The study was performed aiming to assess the antimicrobial effect with the method of dilution in HIA. The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions were named HFPC and EAFPC, respectively.

RESULTS: Both fractions of specie P. calomelanos displayed good activity against S. aureus when associated with gentamicin. When associated with the antifungal, the fractions did not exhibit relevant activity against species of Candida.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that this specie can be used as a possible source of natural products of antibacterial interest, mainly when combined with aminoglycosides.